80 years of education – From the desire for independence to the journey to the future

The school opening drum sounded on the 80th anniversary of the education sector, recalling the difficult but glorious journey that the sector has gone through. In his speech, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son paid tribute to the past, inspired the present and called on the entire sector to enter a new phase with the aspiration to reach world heights.

The school opening drum sounded on the 80th anniversary of the education sector, recalling the difficult but glorious journey that the sector has gone through. In his speech, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son paid tribute to the past, inspired the present and called on the entire sector to enter a new phase with the aspiration to reach world heights.

The opening ceremony of the 2025-2026 school year was solemnly held - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Engrave Uncle Ho's teachings

This morning, September 5, when the first school drum sounded across the country, it was not just a new school year that began. It was a moment when the entire nation looked back to the past, and clearly felt the extension of an 80-year journey – a journey in which education has contributed to shaping the country’s destiny.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son called this “a particularly meaningful educational activity”, as this year’s opening ceremony did not only take place in each schoolyard, but was also connected online and broadcast live, so that millions of people could share the same breath and emotion. He emphasized that this was not just an annual ritual, but an occasion to remind people of the mission of education – a mission that has been closely linked to the future of the country since its founding.

The Minister took the audience back to 1945. Just a few days after the Declaration of Independence was declared at Ba Dinh, President Ho Chi Minh wrote a letter to students on the first day of school in the new Vietnam. “Whether Vietnam becomes beautiful or not, whether the Vietnamese people can step up to the stage of glory to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world powers or not, depends largely on your studies.”

Recalling that statement, the Minister not only evoked pride but also a sense of responsibility: studying has never been the sole responsibility of students, but the common task of the entire nation. September 5th has since become a national festival for taking children to school – a tradition that has been preserved as a cultural beauty for the past 80 years.

Minister Nguyen Kim Son was moved when looking back on the 80-year journey of education development - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

80 years – A miracle written with hardship

The Minister spent a lot of time looking back on the past. From the Ministry of National Education of the Provisional Government to the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) today, the education sector has undergone 3 major educational reforms, 2 revolutionary reforms. Each stage left a deep mark: from eliminating illiteracy, expanding universalization, to innovating programs, teaching methods, and gradually integrating internationally.

The initial context was harsh: 95% of the country was illiterate, there was constant war, and the economic conditions were poor. But the education sector remained resilient. Amidst the bombs and bullets, teachers still stayed in class, students still went to school, many temporary classrooms were set up in basements or on the banks of rice fields, but the students' eyes were still bright.

And today, the picture is different: more than 52,000 schools cover all regions, enough space for 26 million students; 65% of general schools meet standards; 1.6 million teachers are well-trained. The quality of general education has improved significantly, for many years Vietnam has been in the top 10 countries in international Olympic competitions. 243 universities and more than 800 colleges and vocational schools train almost all the professions that society needs, some of which have reached regional and world levels.

The Minister called it “a tremendous and proud achievement, if not a miracle”. And that miracle is not measured by numbers alone, but by perseverance, sacrifice and dedication. “No stele can fully engrave the sacrifice, dedication, effort, intelligence and affection of millions of teachers for generations of students”.

Students of Lang Thuong Primary School (Hanoi) attend the online opening ceremony - Photo: VGP/Tran Tiep

Gratitude to the ferrymen

Not forgetting the past, Minister Nguyen Kim Son expressed his deep gratitude to previous generations: from the leadership of the Party and the State, the care of the Fatherland Front and organizations, to the dedicated teachers across the country. They are the ones who steadfastly keep the fire of knowledge alive during the most difficult years, the silent “ferrymen” who carry generations of students to the shore of the future.

He thanked the tradition of learning that his ancestors had left behind, a tradition that had become the spiritual strength of the nation, helping the Vietnamese people maintain their faith in knowledge even when the country was in turmoil. He mentioned the tireless efforts of many generations of students, from the early popular education classes to today's scientists, engineers, and doctors who are tirelessly contributing their intelligence to the development of the country.

The Minister emphasized that this spirit needs to be extended through action. He called this a time of “self-reflection and self-correction”, a time for the entire industry to look back at itself, identify its limitations, and dare to change to rise up. “Our country is facing a historic opportunity for breakthrough development, the need to develop high-quality human resources is urgent, requiring strong development of education and training”.

Students of Edison Inter-level School (Hung Yen) are ready to start the new school year - Photo: VGP/Thu Trang

Resolution 71 – A historic boost

The highlight of the speech was Resolution 71 of the Politburo. According to the Minister, this is the first time education has been placed at the center of national governance thinking, with an ambitious goal: by 2045, Vietnam will have a modern, equitable, high-quality national education system, ranked among the top 20 countries in the world.

Third grade students of Hanoi Educational Technology Primary School (CGD School) on the opening day. This school is known for its happy school model, allowing students to experience, be creative, and choose their own educational activities - Photo: VGP

Not only stating the goals, the Minister emphasized the spirit of immediate action: implementing learning and thoroughly grasping the Resolution throughout the sector; reviewing, self-examining, and self-correcting limitations; institutionalizing guiding viewpoints into laws; submitting 3 major bills to the National Assembly; developing the National Target Program on Education Modernization; completing a comprehensive assessment of the 2018 general education program; innovating textbooks, developing e-textbooks; issuing a new preschool program; accelerating the construction of boarding and semi-boarding schools in border communes; restructuring the university system - reducing quantity but improving quality; building a national scholarship fund, policies to support learners; promoting AI strategies in education, digital transformation, developing smart schools, connecting lifelong learning databases from 2026.

It is a dense action program, showing the determination to make a breakthrough in education, not to miss the nation's golden opportunity.

Students of Chu Van An Secondary School (Hanoi) rejoice at the opening ceremony - Photo: VGP/Do Cuong

Call and Faith

The Minister concluded his speech with an inspiring appeal: “The road ahead is long, the burden on our shoulders is heavy. I hope all teachers, education staff, students… will act faster and stronger to overcome their own limits, take advantage of all opportunities and conditions, and complete the new glorious mission.”

Immediately after that, he solemnly declared the opening of the 2025-2026 school year. The short but spirited statement concluded a solemn ceremony and opened a new school year with many expectations. The atmosphere of the opening of the school year spread throughout the country, adding motivation for teachers and students to step into the journey ahead with a spirit of innovation, creativity and a firm belief in the future of Vietnamese education.

According to baochinhphu.vn

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202509/80-nam-nganh-giao-duc-tu-khat-vong-doc-lap-den-hanh-trinh-vuon-toi-tuong-lai-0693ae1/